Free or low cost Attorneys in West Virginia

Below is a list of resources for people in West Virginia who need free or low cost legal help. This list begins with organizations that provide free legal assistance and is followed by a number of legal resources that help people who need or want to represent themselves. The list concludes with a WV lawyer referral service to help people find legal help in specific practice areas.

Who is entitled to a free lawyer?

The United States Constitution guarantees free legal representation for people who are charged with a crime which might lead to imprisonment and who cannot afford an attorney. If you find yourself in this situation, request that a lawyer be appointed to you when you first appear in court. Do not discuss your case or situation with anybody until you speak with an attorney.

Who else qualifies for a free attorney?

In non-criminal or “civil” cases, you generally do not have the right to a free lawyer in West Virginia. But there are many legal aid and pro bono programs that provide free legal help in civil cases. These programs generally help people whose income is less than 125 percent of the federal poverty level, although in some cases they help people whose income is slightly higher. In addition, people who are elderly, disabled, the victims of domestic violence, enlisted in the military or in other special circumstances may be eligible for help even if their income is higher. Because these community-based programs have limited resources, they handle only certain types of cases and must turn away many people who ask for help.

Where to find free or low cost legal help in West Virginia

Legal Aid of West Virginia ® provides free advocacy services to West Virginians, in three ways:

They handle civil legal problems such as divorces, evictions, and welfare benefit problems throughout the state.

They assist residents (and their family members) who live in nursing homes, personal care homes, and other long term care facilities.

They provide services to individuals who live with behavioral health challenges while in state operated psychiatric hospitals, and in communities throughout West Virginia.

3. Access to Legal Aid Services Application and Helpline (ATLAS)

Access to Legal Aid Services (ATLAS) is Legal Aid’s state-wide paralegal and attorney-staffed client intake helpline. ATLAS provides application service, legal advice and brief services to low income and/or disadvantaged persons throughout West Virginia’s 55 counties. Legal Aid has twelve offices in every part of West Virginia, from Wheeling to Princeton, Martinsburg to Logan, WV.

To apply for legal services from Legal Aid of West Virginia, please contact ATLAS: 1-866-255-4370.

West Virginia Senior Legal Aid

WV Senior legal Aid recognizes that quality legal services are critical to seniors to protect their homes, income, security, access to healthcare and other benefits, and their autonomy. Needy senior West Virginians age 60 and over anywhere in the state of West Virginia can get help through its website http://www.seniorlegalaid.org/, or by calling 1-800-229-5068.

Department of Veterans Assistance of West Virginia

http://www.veterans.wv.gov The Department of Veterans Assistance of West Virginia assists eligible veterans, their widows, dependents and orphans in the preparation and presentation of their claims for the benefits of their rights and privileges under federal and state laws enacted for their benefits.

West Virginia Small Claims Court (Magistrate Court)

West Virginia law allows residents to file lawsuits for amounts of $5,000 or less in Magistrate Court. This process is designed to provide all parties a way to settle legal and financial disagreements quickly and efficiently. In addition to providing a fast and affordable way to get legal relief, the West Virginia small claims system makes filing a claim easy for those who are unable to afford an attorney. The court staff cannot provide legal advice because they are not attorneys. They can, however, answer basic questions and provide people with the necessary forms. Click here for West Virginia Small Claim Forms for Magistrate Court.

File a Consumer Complaint with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office

If you have been the victim of unlawful practices in the purchases of goods and services in West Virginia, the WV Attorney General’s Office offers free legal assistance. The Attorney General’s Office states on its website http://www.wvago.gov/ that the first step for consumers who have been a victim of unlawful practices in the purchases of goods and service is to fill out the Consumer Complaint Form and return it to the West Virginia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. If you have questions or need assistance filling out this form, please call the Consumer Hotline at 1-800-368-8808. File a Consumer Complaint

The West Virginia Bar Lawyer Referral Service

Although there are plenty of advertisements for West Virginia attorneys who handle personal injury claims, car accidents, criminal defense matters, or bankruptcies, it may be difficult to find lawyers who handle other types of claims. The WV State Bar states that its Lawyer Referral Service is designed to assist the public of West Virginia in locating lawyers that are currently taking referrals in specific practice areas. These lawyers are not certified in any specific practices that are honored by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, but they may have experience or interest in that specific area of practice. Additionally, this is not for free or low cost legal services. It will be up to the individual to negotiate an acceptable fee with any attorney he or she decides to hire.

Personal Injury Attorneys for West Virginia

For those who have been injured in a car accident, West Virginia work accident lawyers, or due to the carelessness of another person, business. or government, a WV personal injury attorney at West Law Firm, L.C. is available for free consultations at 1-877-943-WEST (9378). We never charge a fee until we will your personal injury claim.

We wish you success in obtaining the legal assistance and results you need.

Testimonials

“West Law firm is Amazing. Brooks West and Kevin Davis went above and beyond what I had hoped from a lawyer after another driver crashed into my car and fled the scene. My family an I are very grateful to have had such a professional, dedicated group of lawyers working to get the matter resolved…very quickly “May 2014

MattFayetteville, WV

The driver who caused the car accident lied to the insurance company about what happened, so no lawyer would help me. Then I found West Law Firm. They helped me get the medical treatment I needed and more compensation than I thought possible.

RonSt. Albans, West Virginia

WV personal injury attorney Brooks West and his staff at West Law Firm did more for me and my car accident claim than I would have expected from a lawyer. As a result, I got a great settlement and was able to get the medical care I needed. Thanks West Law Firm!

Mary Charleston, West Virginia

I was in need of a personal injury lawyer and I called West Law Firm. I felt my legal matter was given the highest quality of legal service. I was very satisfied with the outcome of my case with Mr. West and would highly recommend him. Thank you very much.

BrittanyHurricane, WV

You can’t put into words how amazing Attorney West, Brooks is. His services are speedy and he’s always available. He truly goes to the end and back for his clients.. Definitely highly recommended by my family and myself

The Powell Family Charleston, West Virginia

Brooks West is an excellent attorney. He was very thorough and responsive to our calls and e-mails, unlike the previous personal injury law firm we had contacted. He did everything we expected and more. We would highly recommend him to our friends and family.

WEST VIRGINIA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER DISCLAIMER

Every legal matter is different. The outcome of each legal case depends upon many factors, including the facts of the case, and no attorney can guarantee a positive result in any particular case. That's why the West Virginia's personal injury lawyers at West Law Firm LC focusing on medical malpractice, wrongful death, car accident, social security disability, nursing home abuse, and negligence offers free consultations. We serve all of West Virginia, including Charleston, Clarksburg, St. Albans, Teays Valley, Madison, Parkersburg, Nitro, Winfield, Beckley, Huntington, Logan and Southern West Virginia. West Virginia lawyer Brooks West is the Charleston attorney responsible for this legal advertising. The legal information presented on this lawyer site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, or the formation of a lawyer client relationship. All cases are different. Please contact us for a free evaluation of your case and visit the West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Blog for the latest information related to accident, injury and wrongful death law. For answers to your personal injury questions and the latest auto accident news , you may want to visit this West Virginia law blog on a regular basis. Please check our Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions Page regularly for updates from West Virginia's Personal Injury Lawyer.